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Question

upscaling to 4K

Mar 27, 2018 4:16AM PDT

Both Sony and LG seem to have the best OLED picture. Which brand does a better job with 4K upscaling? The Sony website advertises its computer abilities to do this, whereas there's no obvious discussion of this feature at LG. With most content still at 1080, I would think this to be an important feature.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I'm going to disagree.
Mar 27, 2018 9:13AM PDT

Unless you move close to the screen you can't see the pixels so upscaling even with the simple upscale of same 4 dots for 1 dot works.

It's the color that seems to matter here as you read articles like https://www.cnet.com/news/budget-tv-resolution-rumble-720p-plasma-vs-4k-led-lcd/

We also have the https://carltonbale.com/does-4k-resolution-matter/ charts. So if you sit a normal distance back the average human can't see the pixels.

This is why when selling 4K UHD you take the buyer up close to the screen.

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Answer
Variable by device not brand
Mar 27, 2018 10:22AM PDT

Some displays upscale better than others, even inside any particular brand. It will vary.

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UPSCALING TO 4K
Mar 27, 2018 3:44PM PDT

These replies were helpful, but in retrospect I think what I'm really after is the latest greatest tech within my budget. In my mind, some decisions have been made (probably OLED), size (probably 55"), and brands (Sony, LG, Samsung [oled?]). So now I'm nitpicking about features (smart features/options, UPSCALING ABILITIES, reputation/repair records etc).

The initial post lamented the lack of testing found so far for the upscaling feature comparison for the top OLED TV's, but after reading some of the answers / links provided maybe I shouldn't worry about this feature.

I'm going from an old 50" Sony XBR LCD which may be failing (unusual delays turning on) which back when I bought it cost nearly $3000, so the current OLED pricing doesn't seem out of line. The viewing positions in my room vary between 5' and 12' so maybe I might still be best off with the best LED sets out there, but the perfect blacks/contrast of OLED'S are pulling that direction.

Anyway if anyone sees any tests / comparisons for 4K UPSCALING abilities I would appreciate the link. Thanks again to all so far.

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UPSCALING TO 4K
Mar 27, 2018 3:44PM PDT

These replies were helpful, but in retrospect I think what I'm really after is the latest greatest tech within my budget. In my mind, some decisions have been made (probably OLED), size (probably 55"), and brands (Sony, LG, Samsung [oled?]). So now I'm nitpicking about features (smart features/options, UPSCALING ABILITIES, reputation/repair records etc).

The initial post lamented the lack of testing found so far for the upscaling feature comparison for the top OLED TV's, but after reading some of the answers / links provided maybe I shouldn't worry about this feature.

I'm going from an old 50" Sony XBR LCD which may be failing (unusual delays turning on) which back when I bought it cost nearly $3000, so the current OLED pricing doesn't seem out of line. The viewing positions in my room vary between 5' and 12' so maybe I might still be best off with the best LED sets out there, but the perfect blacks/contrast of OLED'S are pulling that direction.

Anyway if anyone sees any tests / comparisons for 4K UPSCALING abilities I would appreciate the link. Thanks again to all so far.

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CNET writes a lot about this.
Mar 27, 2018 4:03PM PDT

"a TV with a good scaler can make 1080p look slightly more detailed, than it would on a similarly-performing 1080p TV. Presuming, of course, you're sitting close enough."
https://www.cnet.com/news/can-4k-tvs-make-1080p-look-better/

A 55 inch 4K UHD at 5 feet barely gets into the zone at http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html You'll have t sit closer.

Between the CNET article comment and the Carlton Bale chart you are chasing an area that won't pay off. You should be looking for better test results on color and more.

https://www.cnet.com/news/why-your-4k-tv-is-probably-the-only-upconverter-you-need/ repeats another angle. Still not buying that once out of the budget door buster models that you will see any gains in upscaling.

In https://www.cnet.com/forums/post/19f74cd0-7736-4a12-9fe1-2f0b08066429/ Pepe7 notes Rtings:
"For reference, if you review the rtings.com data/reviews, you can see how the 'best' LED they rank (for 2017) is only a hair better at handling 480p content than your MU9000 rig. That should tell you how far the technology has come. In most cases how well they handle 720p or 1080p content is really not a significant issue with a quality panel. 480p is another animal though, where you can see some differences, and the variance will be more pronounced depending on the actual source/content. Think, Satellite or Cable feed, etc. Luckily, the newer Sammys do quite well IME at handling most 480p content., including that one."

So there we have site after site pretty must laying waste to upscaling being much better (again once we get out of the basement.)

Take a look at the models noted at https://www.cnet.com/topics/tvs/buying-guide/

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What do the model specific...
Mar 28, 2018 6:37AM PDT

....threads at AVS say about upscaling on your selected HDTVs of choice (OLED)?